Evacuation orders were down-graded to pre-evacuation for the Angler Mountain and Hamilton Creek neighborhoods on September 30.

All pre-evacuation orders were lifted on October 4. 

For more evacuation information, please go to the Summit County Sheriff's Office page: https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO.

NEWS RELEASE

Oct. 4, 2021 4:30 p.m.

Ptarmigan Fire 55% contained; Pre-evacuation orders lifted

Fire near Silverthorne mapped at 86 acres

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. – Pre-evacuation orders for the neighborhoods effected by the Ptarmigan fire were lifted Monday afternoon as firefighters work to increase fire containment to 55%. 

Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons announced the end of pre-evacuation status for the Hamilton Creek, Angler Mountain Ranch, South Forty and Ptarmigan neighborhoods. Despite the down-grade of this evacuation status, fire officials ask that the public continue to avoid the forest closure area, including Angler Mountain and Ptarmigan Peak Trails. More information on the forest closure is available at www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.

The fire, which was first reported on September 27, burned around 86 acres. About 150 personnel are assigned to the incident, and the cause remains under investigation.

The percent containment refers to parts of the fire perimeter where fire personnel are confident fire will not cross. Containment will continue to increase as ground crews work throughout the week.

The Sheriff’s office plans to hold a community meeting after the fire has reached 100% containment.

NEWS RELEASE

Oct. 1, 2021 5:00 p.m.

Ptarmigan Fire 20 percent contained

Fire near Silverthorne mapped at 86 acres

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. – Firefighters working on the Ptarmigan Fire northeast of Silverthorne have created containment line around about 20 percent of the burn area, aimed at increasing protection of the two most exposed neighborhoods.

Nearly 200 fire personnel have been assigned to the fire, which has burned an estimated 86 acres in heavy timber riddled with treacherous downfall and dead-standing trees.

Alongside the efforts by hand crews to create fire containment lines, structure-protection crews continued to patrol the Hamilton Creek and upper Angler Mountain neighborhoods.

Those neighborhoods, along with the South Forty and Ptarmigan neighborhoods, remain in pre-evacuation status until the risk of fire is minimized. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate if conditions change.

Looking ahead for the weekend, fire activity is expected to continue, and residents may see smoke or visible flames but do not need to call 9-1-1. Residents also are likely to encounter fire personnel and heavy equipment on the roads and should exercise caution. They are asked to leave any firefighting equipment undisturbed and in place.

Unless the situation changes or there are any substantial updates, additional public information will be limited, but residents should be assured that fire crews will continue working each day to build additional containment line and put out the fire.

The entire burn area and the trails leading into it – including the Angler Mountain and Ptarmigan trails – are under a U.S. Forest Service closure. More information on the forest closure is available at www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The latest information on evacuation and pre-evacuation status is available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts (SCAlert.org) and at https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO.

Current information is available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7857/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverNF, and from the Ptarmigan Fire Hotline at 970-668-9700.

NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 30, 2021 5:00 p.m.

Significant progress made on Ptarmigan Fire
Fire is still active and poses a risk 

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. – Firefighters on the ground and in the air made significant progress Thursday on establishing fire lines around the Ptarmigan Fire northeast of Silverthorne, as evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes.

About 155 fire personnel have been assigned to the fire, which has burned an estimated 85 acres in heavy timber riddled with treacherous downfall and dead-standing trees. Alongside the efforts by hand crews to create fire containment lines, structure-protection crews continued to patrol neighborhoods.

Residents in the Hamilton Creek and upper Angler Mountain Ranch neighborhoods were allowed to go back to their homes at 10 a.m., although they along with residents in the South 40, lower Angler Mountain Ranch and Ptarmigan neighborhoods remain in pre-evacuation status. They are advised to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate if conditions change.

Fire activity is expected to continue over the next several days, and residents may see smoke or visible flames but do not need to call 9-1-1. Residents also are likely to encounter fire personnel and heavy equipment on the roads and should exercise caution.

The entire burn area and the trails leading into it – including the Angler Mountain and Ptarmigan trails – are under a U.S. Forest Service closure.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

The latest information on evacuation and pre-evacuation status is available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts (SCAlert.org) and at https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO.

Current information is available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7857/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverNF, and from the Ptarmigan Fire Hotline at 970-668-9700.

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NEWS RELEASE

Sept. 30, 2021 10:00 a.m.

Evacuation lifted; credentialed residents may return to their homes

Yesterday evening Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons announced that the Ptarmigan Fire evacuation order for Hamilton Creek and Angler Mountain will be lifted and reduced to pre-evacuation status effective 10 a.m., today, Sept. 30, 2021.

Until further notice, only residents with credentials will be allowed back into the Hamilton Creek and Angler Mountain areas to support safety of the continuing firefighting efforts. Credentialing of residents will resume Thursday and Friday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Silverthorne Town Hall. Credentials are not needed for residents in the existing pre-evacuation areas of lower Angler Mountain, Ptarmigan and South 40 neighborhoods.

Residents should remain alert and ready to evacuate on short notice should conditions change. Fire crews are continuing to work in the area and residents should expect heavy equipment and exercise caution when returning to their neighborhoods.

Wetting rains overnight have helped moderate fire behavior. There has been no new fire growth reported, however fire remains active. Fire size is still estimated between 85-100 acres, and the cause is still under investigation.

A forest closure is in place, including trailheads and all access points. Individuals may not enter the forest closure area for their own personal safety and that of the fire crews at work.

There are currently 155 personnel assigned to the fire, including a sawyer crew that will focus on mitigation of hazards from dead standing trees. In addition, today’s operations will center around building containment lines where it is safe to do so as well as structure assessment and protection. Aerial support will be available as needed.

Residents will continue to see fire activity in the area over the next few weeks, including aerial resources and heavy equipment. Flames and smoke may be visible. Please do not call 911.

The latest information on evacuation and pre-evacuation status is available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts (SCAlert.org) and at https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO.

Current information is available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7857/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverNF, and from the Ptarmigan Fire Hotline at 970 668-9700.

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NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2021 7:30 p.m.

Evacuation to be lifted 10 a.m. tomorrow; areas remain in pre-evacuation

This evening Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons announced that the evacuation order for Hamilton Creek and Angler Mountain will be lifted and reduced to pre-evacuation status effective 10 a.m. Thursday morning. All other areas currently in pre- evacuation status will remain in pre-evacuation status.

The change is based on ground and aerial assessments of fire activity, as well as work firefighters were able to complete on the ground today. While the Ptarmigan Fire still poses risk, Sheriff FitzSimons and fire officials do not feel the risk warrants keeping people out of their homes, provided they remain alert and ready to evacuate with short notice should conditions change.

The rain has not extinguished the fire, but it has helped reduce fire activity, which allowed firefighters to make good progress building containment lines on the southern and western flanks today. Weather limited the use of helicopters today.

Residents will continue to see fire activity in the area over the next few weeks, including aerial resources and heavy equipment. Until further notice, only credentialed residents will be allowed back into the Hamilton Creek and Angler Mountain areas to support safety of the continuing firefighting efforts. Credentialing of residents will resume Thursday and Friday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Silverthorne Town Hall.

Fire officials currently estimate the Ptarmigan Fire to be between 85 and 100 acres with no containment. The cause remains under investigation.

The latest information on evacuation status is available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts (https://summitcountyco.gov/1149/Summit-County-Alert) and at https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO.

Current information is available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7857/, Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverNF, and from the Ptarmigan Fire Hotline at 970 668-9700.

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Order # WRNF-2021-28 Fire Closure
 
FOREST ORDER
USDA FOREST SERVICE WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST
Dillon Ranger District 
FIRE CLOSURE
Ptarmigan Fire Area

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands within the Ptarmigan Fire Area on the White River National Forest, Summit County, Colorado (the “Restricted Area”) and on all trails located within the Restricted Area.

This area includes National Forest System (NFS) Trails 29, 35, and 69 above the Ptarmigan and Angler Mountain Trailheads to Ptarmigan Pass. NFS Trail 24 Ute Peak Trail south of the junction with NFS Trail 71 Acorn Creek Trail (the “Restricted Roads and Trails”).
The Restricted Area and the Restricted Trails are shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A.

The purposes of this Order are to: (1) provide for public safety; and (2) prevent interference with firefighting operations.

PROHIBITIONS:

1)     Going into or being upon the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § § 261.52(e).

2)     Being on the Restricted Roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3)     Being on the Restricted Trails. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1)     Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty;

2)     Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

This Order becomes effective at 12:01 am on September 29th, 2021 and remains in effect until rescinded.

Done at Glenwood Springs, this 29th day of September, 2021.

Scott Fitzwilliams
Forest Supervisor
White River National Forest
 

NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2021 10:00 a.m.

Fire still active despite wetting rains

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. –

There was no observed overnight growth on the Ptarmigan Fire, and the current size estimate is 83 acres. Fire activity was visible within the interior area, despite wetting rains throughout the night. There is currently no containment, and the cause is under investigation.

Operations today will be focused on structure protection and creating fireline where it is safe to do so. This area of the forest contains many dead-standing trees, which is a large risk for crews working on the ground. Aircraft will assist with fire operations as weather allows.

Moderate showers are expected by the afternoon with a mix of rain and snow, which could help reduce fire behavior.

The latest information on evacuations are available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts (https://summitcountyco.gov/1149/Summit-County-Alert) and at https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO. A Red Cross Emergency Shelter is in place at the Summit Middle School.

As air operations resume today, fire managers are reminding the public that use of drones or unmanned aircraft is strictly prohibited. All firefighting aircraft will stop flying if a drone is spotted, greatly impending the firefighting effort.

There will be a public briefing today at Silverthorne Town Hall, 601 Center Circle, at 11 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Summit County Government’s Facebook page.

Current information is available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7857/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverNF, and from the Ptarmigan Fire Hotline at 970-668-9700.

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. – Firefighters on the Ptarmigan Fire today continued to focus on using aerial resources to keep the fire from moving downhill towards structures. 
Three heavy helicopters and a light helicopter dropped water on active areas and a large air tanker dropped retardant to slow fire growth. Aircraft will continue this work tomorrow as conditions allow. 
While afternoon and evening rains helped moderate fire behavior, the weather grounded the aircraft. The winds that preceded the storms pushed the fire to the south, leading to additional pre-evacuation notifications. The fire currently estimated to be 85-100 acres with approximately 100 firefighters. There is no containment, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. 
The latest information on evacuations are available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts (https://summitcountyco.gov/1149/Summit-County-Alert)  and at https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO. A Red Cross Emergency Shelter is in place at the Summit Middle School.
There will be a public briefing tomorrow at the Silverthorne Town Hall, 601 Center Circle, at 11 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Summit County Government’s Facebook page.
Current information is available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7857/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverNF, and from the Ptarmigan Fire Hotline at 970- 668-9700.
There will be a public briefing at the Silverthorne Town Hall, 601 Center Circle, Silverthorne, CO 80498, at 11 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on Facebook Live on the Summit County Government’s Facebook page.
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SILVERTHORNE, Colo. – Firefighters are on-scene of the Ptarmigan Fire north of Silverthorne tonight, which is estimated to be 30-40 acres.

The fire was reported about 4:45 p.m. and is burning above Angler Mountain on National Forest System lands. The cause of the Ptarmigan Fire is currently unknown.

As of 8:15 p.m. the Summit County Sheriff had ordered mandatory evacuations for the Hamilton Creek area above Silverthorne. Pre-evacuations are in place for Angler Mountain and South 40. The latest information on evacuations are available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts (https://summitcountyco.gov/1149/Summit-County-Alert)  and at https://www.facebook.com/SummitSheriffCO. A Red Cross Emergency Shelter is in place at the Summit Middle School.

This evening a heavy air tanker, two single engine air tankers and a heavy helicopter worked the fire guided by an air attack plane. The aerial resources focused their efforts on keeping the fire from moving downhill toward structures. Firefighters have not yet been able to safely engage the fire on the ground, but they are staged in strategic places should they have the opportunity. 

Additional ground and aerial resources are expected to arrive tomorrow. 

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